Hello everyone, Josh Henson signing in. I am 19 and reside in Inman, South Carolina. I completed MEPS at Fort Jackson this weekend, passed medical with flying colors, and scored a 73 on the ASVAB. I enlisted under the Buddy Program with a friend of mine; because of his education status (still in High School) our ship date is not until August. We are both going Infantry. Anyways, I wanted to give a hello and a big thanks to all Marines here, I can't wait for the chance to join the brotherhood, and also, a big thanks to everyone who keeps the website squared away; the wealth of information here is greatly appreciated.

Poolee Henson

DGardner

12-04-07, 11:43 PM

Hello Josh. Welcome aboard!

Echo_Four_Bravo

12-04-07, 11:53 PM

Welcome. Spend some time reading through old posts here. There is a ton of information. In fact, I'd guess just about every legit question has been asked and answered a couple of times.

RockSteady85

12-05-07, 12:07 AM

Welcome Poolee Henson! Although I will not be on here much longer because I am supposed to ship to boot rather shortly, I just wanted to take the time to post and welcome you here to the Leatherneck.com family. I'm more than confident that this forum will prove to be a priceless resource for you; I know it has been for me, and I have only been here since I DEPped-in in early October and I am leaving for boot already. You just have to follow the rules of filling out your profile before posting, use proper grammar and spelling, always capitalising "Marine", "Marine Corps", "Sergeant", things of the like...and you seem to be doing well with that so far. Everybody here will grow on you, trust me on that! :-)

That's awesome you enlisted with a buddy and you're both going 03XX, congratulations. I graduated from Rutgers Uni. a few months ago, so I never got with any friend who wanted to join - I am the lone ranger on that one LOL. I'm probably one of the oldest poolees here, being that I am going to be 22 on the 20th. I went enlisted instead of officer as well, on my own volition. I'll be starting at boot as an E-2. I got a 90 on my ASVAB and I am going for either 065X - Data Systems, which is IT/computer stuff, which was one of my double majors in college; or I will get 0511, which is MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force) Planning Specialist, which means I'll be hanging with a lot of brass planning moves that the Corps will be making and I get to help implementing them. All of those MOS' are under my BX contract.

But anyways, enough about that LOL. What made you decide to join the Corps?

HensonJ

12-05-07, 12:16 AM

To be honest RockSteady85, throughout our lives, my friend and I always wanted to be in the Service, throwing branches around depending on what movie we were watching lol. With living with a Marine (my father), meeting and befriending Marines, and the reputation they have, it wasn't too hard to make my decision when the time came. Sure, serving our country is my main reason for enlisting, but, who does it better and with more authority than the United States Marine Corps?

Jdncowboy

12-05-07, 01:04 AM

Welcome aboard. There is tons and tons of information to be looked at on here and absorbed. You'll like it hear and just as Rocksteady said, everyone on here will grow on you. But just as Rocksteady I too won't be on here for very much longer since I am shipping out in about a week and a half. But enjoy your time here and don't take it for granted. It is a great resource to have all of these Marines sharing their knowledge and advice with us.

jinelson

12-05-07, 08:48 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v660/jinelson/156100.jpg

Welcome Aboard Josh!

Jim

HensonJ

12-05-07, 09:39 PM

A big thanks for the warm welcome everyone!!! Everytime I sign on here I get anxious and ready to head down south lol... I have been spending my time on here searching through the threads, finding topics that interest me and learning as I go. I have developed a plan of sorts to carry out before recruit training, to make things a little easier there and allow me to use my time more wisely on things I will need to work on. I plan on learning the 11 General Orders, The Marine Battle Hymn, The Rifleman's Creed, The Code of Conduct, and my Ranks before I go. I feel if I know these now, I can use my free time focusing on other things that I may have trouble with there, such as procedures with uniform or a drill movement perhaps. Being a boxer, I stay in decent shape, but I plan on dropping my current workout and building something more fitting to the Marine way, such as taking my exercises of the machines and getting back to the basics like pushups and situps. I also am going to expand my running, starting lightly with intervals and working my way up to a medium fast paced run throughout the workout. Any faults with my above statements? Feel free to give your advice, I appreciate it.

Poolee Henson

sparkie

12-05-07, 09:53 PM

You're totally neglecting the other side of the Marine Corps. Try to have a little fun. And Welcome aboard.

sawatzke82

12-05-07, 09:55 PM

Welcome Henson. As the others have said and I'm sure you know by now, this is a great site with alot of awsome info. I'm sure you'll find all the info you need here. Just curious when in August do you ship? I've got some friends that are shipping that month.

HensonJ

12-05-07, 10:23 PM

You're totally neglecting the other side of the Marine Corps. Try to have a little fun. And Welcome aboard.

I had my fun years ago, in 9th and 10th grade, until it got me into trouble lol. Seriously (seems to be my problem huh lol) before I decided to enlist, I had my life plan set out, and was on the path to achieving it. I was taught to be persistant and steadfast on achieving my goals, so it's kinda my "demeanor" I suppose.Sawatzke82, It's looking the fourth, but it is all dependant of my friend, when and if he graduates, and what we agree upon. I have made up my mind that if he screws up, I'm shipping out earlier, like around the beginning of June. My Recruiter has really been helpful, taking care of everything that I have had a problem with, and practically getting me anything I have needed.

RockSteady85

12-06-07, 01:10 AM

My Recruiter has really been helpful, taking care of everything that I have had a problem with, and practically getting me anything I have needed.

I have had the same thing with my recruiter too man...just everybody at my RSS in general has helped me out so much. When I was supposed to ship out the first time on 20071113 I had a family member die only three days prior, and although I never asked, the Gunny at my RSS moved my ship date back for me because he felt I did not need to go to boot with a "heavy heart", even if that meant them not making their mission/quota for that month for shippers. Also, when I was in jail for a week in the end of September (I had plead not guilty to two tickets I received and was supposed to get a court date to go to...which I never received. I called about it, still never received one. I didn't get one until about three months later, after I got arrested on a warrant for "failure to appear"! The cop would not let me bail myself out for the $389 abd said I couldn't although I knew that was total BS because I was dating a cop at the time; also, my parents were so kind as to not pay my bail either and just let me sit in jail and get the p!ss beat out of me while I was sleeping, resulting in a collapsed lung, bruised liver, and bleeding pancreas), my recruiter, the SSgt., was trying to call me like crazy that whole time because he knew when I didn't answer or at least call him back, something was awry. I finally called him back and saw him later that day when I got released, and he said how concerned he was about me and - get this - that if I had called him and told him, he would have headed up to the courthouse/county jail and paid my nearly $400 bail and have gotten me released ASAP, with no need to repay him! I go there for PT every single day Monday through Friday, and going there to hang out with all of them is probably the highlight of my day. I feel like they are like my surrogate family in a way, and they seem to care more than you would just assume anyone working at an RSS would. I guess that "surrogate family" feeling would translate over the Corps in general after whenever I may get my EGA. It's just nice to have a small taste of that now already; I know I'll miss everyone there to death when I finally DO leave this time on 17 December. They are a great group of guys to hang around, they really are. Maybe I could snag some recruiter's assistance after boot? :banana:

Parker-0321

12-06-07, 01:33 AM

but, who does it better and with more authority than the United States Marine Corps?

OOHRAH!!

Welcome aboard bro! I'm not sure about the weather in PI about August, but in SD it wasn't too bad, kinda warm during the day, chilly at night. it's gonna get cold at night tho lol.

grampsdw251

12-06-07, 01:56 AM

Welcome Josh. You seem to have some right ideas already. Keep researching the posts here. You'll find that those who have gone before you had many of the same concerns. If you don't find the answers you need, just ask. Many Marines on here and they are ready and willing to help. Going to PI in August? I did that-- you sure won't your coat.